Nearly 30 sheriffs from across the state graduated from the Sheriff's Leadership Institute Friday.

Four sheriffs from eastern carolina received their completion certificates. It took nearly 160 hours worth of mental boot camp for sheriffs. They covered everything from budget, to personnel, and even communicating with news media. Sheriffs we talked to say they'd do it all over again if they could for the knowledge and the connections they made.

"Having worked for the sheriff's office for 30 years, I thought I had a great understanding. I've realized there's a lot more to it than what I was exposed to," said Pitt County Sheriff Neil Elks. "

"Extremely helpful in planning for the budget- new laws coming out. They're changing them as fast as they're writing them," said Jones County Sheriff Danny Heath.

This is only the second graduating class from the institute and the only training program of its kind in the country.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.